Tubular installation system and method

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a tubular installation system ( 10 ) for J-laying tubulars comprising a J-lay tower structure ( 100 ), a tubulars supply system and a loader device ( 20 ) comprising tubular grippers ( 21   a - c ) and a boom ( 24 ) for transporting a tubular, an accessory supply system ( 200, 201, 202 ) and accessory handling means ( 29 ) for transporting an accessory between the essentially horizontal accessory supply position and the firing line. According to the invention, the accessory handling means ( 29 ) are distinct from the tubular grippers ( 21   a - c ) and are attached to the boom ( 24 ) of the loader device, at a different position than the tubular grippers, such that the loader device can be used as desired for transporting a tubular or an accessory between the respective supply position and the firing line.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the National Phase of PCT/NL2011/050874 filed onDec. 21, 2011, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/427,653 filed on Dec. 28, 2010, all ofwhich are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the presentapplication.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a tubular installation systemfor J-laying a tubular.

Such a system commonly comprises:

-   -   a J-lay tower structure for lowering and/or raising a tubular or        an accessory along a firing line extending along the tower;    -   a support for supporting the J-lay tower structure;    -   a tubulars supply system, preferably provided on the support,        for supplying tubulars to an essentially horizontal tubular        supply position in the vicinity of the tower,    -   a loader device for transporting a tubular between the        essentially horizontal supply position and the firing line,        wherein the loader device comprises:        -   a tubular gripper adapted for gripping the tubular,        -   a base, preferably provided on the support,        -   a boom to which the one or more tubular grippers are            attached, which boom is pivotable with respect to the base            in a boom pivot direction about a horizontal boom pivot            axis, between a lowered position for gripping a tubular in            an essentially horizontal tubular supply position, and a            raised position for delivering a tubular to the firing line            and vice versa;    -   an accessory supply system, preferably provided on the support,        for supplying an accessory to an essentially horizontal        accessory supply position in the vicinity of the tower,        accessory handling means for transporting the accessory between        the essentially horizontal accessory supply position and the        firing line.

Known tubular installation systems for J-laying tubulars are provided ondrilling rigs. On drilling rigs the tower comprises a drilling rigstructure, and a lift device for raising and lowering a string ofinterconnected tubulars.

Other known tubular installation systems for J-laying tubulars areprovided on marine pipelay systems, wherein the tower is a pipelaytower. Possibly, support for the tower is formed by the deck of apipelay vessel.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the accessory handlingmeans are distinct from the tubular grippers and are attached to theboom of the loader device, at a different position than the tubulargrippers, such that the loader device can be used as desired fortransporting a tubular or an accessory between the respective supplyposition and the firing line. Thus, a common loader device is used bothfor transporting a tubular between an essentially horizontal tubularsupply position and a firing line extending along the tower and fortransporting an accessory between an essentially horizontal accessorysupply position and the firing line.

An advantage of a common loader device is the reduced footprint of thetubular and accessory handling system. In addition, the hoist capacityof raising tubulars and raising accessories can be shared.

The invention requires that the loader device can both transfer tubularsfrom the raised position of the boom into the firing line and viceversa, and transfer an accessory from the raised position of the boominto the firing line and vice versa. As the same boom is used to bringthe tubulars and the accessory in the raised position, the tubulargrippers should be able to bring the tubulars into the firing linetaking into account the presence of the accessory handling means, and onthe other hand, the accessory handling means should be able to bring theaccessories into the firing line, taking into account the presence ofthe tubular grippers.

Preferably, J-lay tower bearing means are provided which allow for thepivoting of the J-lay tower structure with respect to the support aboutat least one J-lay tower pivot axis; the J-lay tower pivot axis defininga first and second side of the J-lay tower structure, extendingperpendicular to the J-lay tower pivot axis.

Preferably, the base of the loader device is provided adjacent thetower. When a tiltable J-lay tower structure is provided, adjacent thetower can be defined in that the boom pivot axis is essentially parallelto the J-lay tower pivot axis, and in that the boom pivot axis isprovided adjacent the first and/or second side of the J-lay towerstructure.

In principle, it is possible to provide the accessory handling meansclosest to the tower and the tubular grippers next to the accessoryhandling means, more remote from the tower. Then, the tubular grippersneed to translate the tubulars quite a distance, past the accessoryhandling means, from and into the firing line. It is preferred toprovide the tubular grippers closest to the tower and the accessoryhandling means next to the tubular grippers, more remote from the tower.Thus, the accessory handling means need to translate the accessory pastthe tubular grippers.

In a preferred embodiment, the accessory handling means compriseaccessory rails attached to the boom of the loader device, and the toweris provided with tower rails. In this preferred embodiment, theaccessory rails adjoin the tower rails in the raised position of theloader device, such that the accessory can be transferred from theaccessory handling means via the accessory rails and the tower rails tothe firing line. Thus, the accessory rails and the tower rails allowtransfer of the accessory from the raised position of the boom into thefiring line and vice versa.

Preferably, the one or more tubular grippers are pivotably attached tothe boom about a gripper rotation axis essentially parallel to the boom,which one or more grippers are preferably pivoted by one or morehydraulically actuated cylinders. As such, the tubular grippers cantranslate the tubulars between the raised position of the boom in thedirection of the firing line. Possibly the tubular grippers are capableof positioning the tubulars into the firing line.

Alternatively, when the tower is provided with tower rails, the tubulargrippers position the tubulars next to the firing line, into the tower,adjacent the tower rails. As such, the tubular grippers adjoin the towerrails in the raised position of the loader device, such that thetubulars can be transferred between the tubular grippers and the firingline via the tower rails. Thus, the tower rails allow transfer of thetubular from the raised position of the boom into the firing line andvice versa.

With the one or more tubular grippers being pivotably attached to theboom, this allows the tubular grippers to be pivoted away from theaccessory rails provided on the boom, so as to allow the accessory to betransferred across the accessory rails and the tower rails to the firingline, without being hindered by the tubular grippers.

Even more preferably, the accessory handling means comprise an accessoryhandling frame to which the accessory is attached, which accessoryhandling frame is allowed to move over the accessory rails and the towerrails. Possibly, the tower is provided with the accessory line-up tool.Without any accessory present, and at the lowered position of the boom,the accessory handling frame is provided at a departure position on theboom, corresponding to the horizontal accessory supply position. Assuch, the accessory is supplied onto the accessory handling frame. Afterhaving brought the accessory into the firing line, the accessoryhandling frame is allowed to translate back across the tower rails andthe accessory rails to the departure position, now at a raised positionof the boom. The boom may be allowed to lower, to be prepared for futuretubular/accessory transport.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the accessory handling meanscomprise an accessory line-up tool to which the accessory is attached,which accessory line-up tool is allowed to move over the accessory railsand the tower rails. Without any accessory present, and at the loweredposition of the boom, the accessory line-up tool is provided at adeparture position on the boom, corresponding to the horizontalaccessory supply position. Thus, the accessory is supplied to theline-up tool. The line-up tool with the accessory is subsequently raisedby the boom, and translated across the accessory rails and the towerrails into the firing line. The accessory line-up tool lines up theaccessory in the firing line.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a tubular installationsystem for J-laying tubulars.

Such a system commonly comprises:

A tubular installation system for J-laying tubulars wherein the systemcomprises:

-   -   a J-lay tower structure for lowering and/or raising a tubular or        an accessory along a firing line extending along the tower;    -   a support for supporting the J-lay tower structure;    -   a tubulars supply system, preferably provided on the support,        for supplying tubulars to an essentially horizontal tubular        supply position in the vicinity of the tower,    -   a loader device for transporting a tubular between an        essentially horizontal supply position and the firing line,        wherein the loader device comprises:        -   a tubular gripper adapted for gripping the tubular,        -   a base, preferably provided on the support,        -   a boom to which the one or more tubular grippers are            attached, which boom is pivotable with respect to the base            in a boom pivot direction about a horizontal boom pivot            axis, between a lowered position for gripping a tubular in            the essentially horizontal tubular supply position, and a            raised position for delivering a tubular to the firing line            and vice versa,    -   an accessory supply system, preferably provided on the support,        for supplying an accessory to an essentially horizontal        accessory supply position in the vicinity of the tower,    -   accessory handling means for transporting the accessory between        the essentially horizontal accessory supply position and the        firing line.

In general, accessory supply systems are formed by cranes: e.g. a mastcrane, or a travelling crane.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the accessorysupply system is improved in that it comprises accessory supply rails,provided on the support, which accessory supply rails are in line withthe accessory handling means. As such, the accessory can be transferred,e.g. from a storage location, via the accessory supply rails directly tothe accessory handling means, which can deliver the accessory to thefiring line.

Preferably, the accessory handling means are pivotable about ahorizontal accessory pivot axis between a lowered position for receivingthe accessory in the essentially horizontal supply position and a raisedposition for delivering the accessory to the firing line and vice versa.

The accessory supply rails may be provided perpendicular to or parallelto the horizontal accessory pivot axis. Which option is the mostadvantageous depends on the general lay-out of the tubular and accessoryhandling system. When the system is provided on a vessel, it isadvantageous to provide the accessory supply rails parallel to the tothe longitudinal axis of the vessel, as in general there is more deckspace available in the longitudinal direction of a vessel than in thetransverse direction.

In a preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, theaccessory supply rails are provided perpendicular to and adjacent to thehorizontal accessory pivot axis, and a removable bridging rail portionis provided essentially above the horizontal accessory pivot axisbetween the accessory supply rails and the accessory supply position,which bringing rail portion is removable in order to allow raising ofthe accessory handling means.

The bridging portion is preferably provided when the accessory is beingtransferred from the accessory supply rails to the accessory handlingmeans, which are at the lowered position for receiving the accessory inthe essentially horizontal accessory supply position. The accessory isthan transferred, e.g. from a storage location, via the accessory supplyrails and the bridging rail portion to the accessory supply position.Subsequently, the accessory handling means are to be pivoted to theraised position for delivering the accessory to the firing line and viceversa. This pivoting movement is not possible when the supply railsextend across the pivot axis, or when the accessory supply position istoo close to the accessory pivot axis. The practical solution to thisproblem is thus found in the removal of the removable bridging railportion.

In a preferred embodiment, the accessory handling means comprise a base,preferably provided on the support, and a pivotable accessory handlingarm to which the accessory is attached, which accessory handling arm ispivotable with respect to the base in an accessory arm pivot directionabout the horizontal accessory pivot axis. Hence, in this embodiment aloader device is provided for transporting tubulars and an accessoryhandling arm is provided for transporting the accessory.

Alternatively, the accessory handling means are distinct from thetubular grippers and are attached to the boom of the loader device, at adifferent position than the tubular grippers, such that the loaderdevice can be used as desired for transporting a tubular or an accessorybetween the respective supply position and the firing line, such thatthe boom pivot axis coincides with the horizontal accessory pivot axis.

A third aspect of the present invention relates to a tubularinstallation system for J-laying tubulars wherein the system comprises:

-   -   a support;    -   a J-lay tower structure for lowering and/or raising a tubular or        an accessory along a firing line extending along the tower;    -   J-lay tower bearing means which allow for the pivoting of the        J-lay tower structure with respect to the support about at least        one J-lay tower pivot axis; the J-lay tower pivot axis defining        a first and second side of the J-lay tower structure, extending        perpendicular to the J-lay tower pivot axis;    -   a tubulars supply system, preferably provided on the support,        for supplying tubulars to an essentially horizontal tubular        supply position in the vicinity of the tower,    -   a loader device for transporting a tubular between an        essentially horizontal supply position and the firing line,        wherein the loader device comprises:        -   a tubular gripper adapted for gripping the tubular,        -   a base, preferably provided on the support,        -   a boom to which the one or more tubular grippers are            attached, which boom is pivotable with respect to the base            in a boom pivot direction about a horizontal boom pivot            axis, between a lowered position for gripping a tubular in            the essentially horizontal tubular supply position, and a            raised position for delivering a tubular to the firing line            and vice versa,    -   an accessory supply system, preferably provided on the support,        for supplying an accessory to an essentially horizontal        accessory supply position in the vicinity of the tower,    -   accessory handling means adapted for handling the accessory,        wherein the accessory handling means comprise a base, preferably        provided on the support, and a pivotable accessory handling arm        to which the accessory is attached, which accessory handling arm        is pivotable with respect to the base in an accessory arm pivot        direction about a horizontal accessory handling arm pivot axis,        between a lowered position for receiving the accessory in an        essentially horizontal accessory supply position, and a raised        position for delivering the accessory to the firing line and        vice versa.

Known loader devices for transporting tubulars and accessory handlingmeans for handling tubulars are provided adjacent the tower, butgenerally at remote locations as both the loader device and theaccessory handling means require quite a lot of space, and the tubularssupply system and the accessory supply system also need to be tuned tothe respective locations.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the boom pivotaxis is essentially parallel to the accessory handling arm pivot axisand to the J-lay tower pivot axis, and wherein the boom pivot axis andthe accessory handling arm pivot axis are provided adjacent the firstand/or second side of the J-lay tower structure. Hence, both the boomand the accessory handing arm are positioned adjacent the tower, whereit is common that one of these is positioned in line with the towerstructure, to load the tubular/accessory into the front/rear side of thetower.

In a preferred embodiment, the accessory handing arm and the boom intheir lowered positions point in the same direction. Thus, when both theboom and the accessory handing arm are in the lowered position forrespectively receiving a pipe or an accessory, the free ends of the boomand the accessory handling arm, opposite the end attached to therespective bases, point in the same direction.

It is conceivable that the loader device and the accessory handlingmeans are provided at opposite sides of the tower. Alternatively, andmore preferably, both the loader device and the accessory handling meansare provided at the same side of the tower, adjacent the tower. As such,a large reduction in total footprint of the tubular and accessoryhandling system can be achieved. In particular, as the loader device andthe accessory handling means are now positioned close to each other,additional advantages can be achieved such as shared power supplies forpivoting the boom and the accessory handling arm.

With the loader device and the accessory handling means provided at thesame side of the tower, the tubular grippers and the accessory handlingmeans should both be able to bring the tubulars and accessories into thefiring line, respectively, taking into account the presence of theaccessory handling means and the tubular grippers, respectively.

In principle, it is possible to provide the accessory handling meansclosest to the tower and the loader device next to the accessoryhandling means, more remote from the tower. Then, the tubular grippersneed to translate the tubulars quite a distance, past the accessoryhandling means, from and into the firing line. It is preferred toprovide the tubular grippers closest to the tower and the accessoryhandling means next to the tubular grippers, more remote from the tower.Thus, the accessory handling means need to translate the accessory pastthe tubular grippers.

This practical problem can easily be solved by providing a smalldistance between the parallel boom pivot axis and accessory handling armpivot axis. Yet alternatively, the boom pivot axis and the accessoryhandling arm pivot axis are essentially flush with each other. Possibly,the tower is tiltable about a horizontal tower pivot axis, which mayoptionally also essentially be in line with the boom pivot axis and theaccessory handling arm pivot axis.

In a preferred embodiment, the accessory handling means compriseaccessory rails attached to the accessory handling arm, and the tower isprovided with tower rails. In this preferred embodiment, the accessoryrails adjoin the tower rails in the raised position of the loaderdevice, such that the accessory can be transferred from the accessoryhandling means via the accessory rails and the tower rails to the firingline. Thus, the accessory rails and the tower rails allow transfer ofthe accessory from the raised position of the boom into the firing lineand vice versa.

Preferably, the one or more tubular grippers are pivotably attached tothe boom about a gripper rotation axis essentially parallel to the boom,which one or more grippers are preferably pivoted by one or morehydraulically actuated cylinders. As such, the tubular grippers cantranslate the tubulars between the raised position of the boom and thefiring line. Moreover, this allows the tubular grippers to be pivotedaway from the accessory rails provided on the boom, so as to allow theaccessory to be transferred across the accessory rails and the towerrails to the firing line, without being hindered by the tubulargrippers.

Alternatively, when the tower is provided with tower rails, the tubulargrippers position the tubulars next to the firing line, into the tower,adjacent the tower rails. As such, the tubular grippers adjoin the towerrails in the raised position of the loader device, such that thetubulars can be transferred between the tubular grippers and the firingline via the tower rails. Thus, the tower rails allow transfer of thetubular from the raised position of the boom into the firing line andvice versa.

Possibly, the accessory handling means comprise an accessory handlingframe to which the accessory is attached, which accessory handling frameis allowed to move over the accessory rails and the tower rails.Possibly, the tower is provided with the accessory line-up tool. Withoutany accessory present, and at the lowered position of the boom, theaccessory handling frame is provided at a departure position on theboom, corresponding to the horizontal accessory supply position. Assuch, the accessory is supplied onto the accessory handling frame. Afterhaving brought the accessory into the firing line, the accessoryhandling frame is allowed to translate back across the tower rails andthe accessory rails to the departure position, now at a raised positionof the boom. The boom may be allowed to lower, to be prepared for futuretubular/accessory transport.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the accessory handling meanscomprise an accessory line-up tool to which the accessory is attached,which accessory line-up tool is allowed to move over the accessory railsand the tower rails. Without any accessory present, and at the loweredposition of the boom, the accessory line-up tool is provided at adeparture position on the boom, corresponding to the horizontalaccessory supply position. Thus, the accessory is supplied to theline-up tool. The line-up tool with the accessory is subsequently raisedby the boom, and translated across the accessory rails and the towerrails into the firing line. The accessory line-up tool lines up theaccessory in the firing line.

The above described tubular and accessory handling systems according tothe various aspects of the invention may be provided on drilling rigs,wherein the tower comprises a drilling rig structure, and wherein ahoisting device is provided for raising and lowering a string ofinterconnected tubulars.

Alternatively, the above described tubular and accessory handlingsystems according to the invention may be provided on marine pipelaysystems, wherein the tower is a pipelay tower. Possibly, support for thetower is formed by the deck of a pipelay vessel, preferably a monohullvessel.

The above described tubular and accessory handling systems according tothe invention comprise a boom which is pivotable with respect to thebase. This can e.g. be accomplished by a boom hoist tackle which isprovided between the boom and the tower. Alternatively, the boom ispivotable with respect to the base by one or more hydraulically actuatedcylinders.

In a preferred embodiment of the above described tubular and accessoryhandling systems according to the invention, the tower is tiltable andthe loader device and the accessory handling means can transportrespectively a tubular or an accessory between the respectiveessentially horizontal supply position and a raised position fordelivering the tubular respectively the accessory to the firing line inthe tilted tower.

In a preferred embodiment of the above described tubular and accessoryhandling systems according to the invention, the system is furtherprovided with one or more of the following features:

-   -   a tubular line-up tool for aligning the tubular in the tower,        which tubular line-up tool is provided on the tower or on the        loader device; which tubular line-up tool preferably comprises        at least three clamps and is in particular suitable for clamping        both pipes of a pipe-in-pipe construction;    -   an accessory line-up tool for aligning the accessory in the        tower, which accessory line-up tool is provided on the tower or        on the loader device;    -   a workstation provided below the tower, preferably provided on        the support.

Preferably, the loader device of the above described tubular andaccessory handling systems according to the invention is provided with atubular stopper, which is provided in line with the one or more tubulargrippers, in particular suitable for handling pipe-in-pipes.

The invention will be explained further with reference to the drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 a shows a tubular installation system according to the presentinvention with the boom in the lowered position;

FIG. 1 b shows the tubular installation system of FIG. 1 a with the boomin the raised position;

FIG. 2 shows a loader device according to the first aspect of theinvention in a perspective view;

FIGS. 3 a-3 c show three alternative embodiments of the second aspect ofthe invention in a view from above;

FIGS. 4 a-4 c show three alternative embodiments of the third aspect ofthe invention in a view from above.

In FIGS. 1 a and 1 b a tubular installation system 10 for J-layingtubulars according to the first aspect of the invention is shown. Thetubular and accessory handling system 10 is made for transporting atubular between an essentially horizontal tubular supply position (FIG.1 a) and a firing line extending along the tower (FIG. 1 b) and fortransporting an accessory between an essentially horizontal accessorysupply position (FIG. 1 a) and the firing line (FIG. 1 b). In FIG. 2,the tubular installation system 10 is shown in detail at an essentiallyhorizontal supply position.

It is conceivable, but not necessary, that the horizontal accessorysupply position corresponds to the horizontal tubular supply position.Small deviations in these positions are possible. In particular when thedifferent character of a tubular supply system and an accessory supplysystem is considered, a small deviation is well conceivable.

In FIGS. 1 a and 1 b a J-lay tower structure 100 is visible for loweringand/or raising a tubular or an accessory along a firing line 101extending along the tower. The firing line 101 is essentially verticaland parallel to the tower 100. Preferably, the firing line is providedadjacent the tower 100. The tower is provided on a support 105.

The support may be a deck of a vessel. The vessel may be of a monohulldesign, but other design (e.g. as a semi-submersible vessel, asconverted drilling rig, etc) are also possible.

J-lay tower structure bearing means 110 are provided which allow for thepivoting of the J-lay tower structure with respect to the support aboutat least one J-lay tower pivot axis 111. The J-lay tower pivot axis 111defines a first and second side 112, 113 of the J-lay tower structure,extending perpendicular to the J-lay tower pivot axis. Preferably, theJ-lay tower pivot axis 111 extends at right angles to the centreline ofa vessel.

According to the shown, preferred embodiment, at least one, here twotelescopic members 126 are arranged between the support 105 and thetower 100 allow to adjust the inclination of the tower 100. In thisexample the inclination of the tower 20 can be varied in the range from0 degrees to 40 degrees from vertical. When desired a smaller or broaderrange of tower inclination, or even a non-inclinable tower can beenvisaged.

In this example the J-lay tower structure 100 comprises two spaced apartmain vertical beams 108 interconnected by a number of horizontalcrossbeams 109 a, 109 b, 109 c, 109 d.

In the shown embodiment, a moonpool 115 is provided in said support 105.The moonpool may be located on the centreline of a vessel and aboutcentrally in relation to the length of the vessel. Above the moonpool115, the J-lay tower structure 100 is provided, such that firing line101 extends through said moonpool 115. Alternatively, the J-lay towerstructure may also be provided at the bow, stern or side of a vessel, asa result of which the pipeline is launched over the bow, stern or sideinto the sea.

In a not-shown, non-preferred embodiment, the tower could have the formof a derrick (e.g. a latticed framework) extending over the moonpool,wherein the firing line or pipeline launch trajectory-passes within thestructure of the derrick.

In this example the moonpool 115 is covered by a movable pipe sectionworkstation 116. For instance the workstation is slideable across railsusing associated hydraulic cylinders. Workstation 116 may comprise e.g.a coating and/or NDT station.

The pipelaying system according to the invention may further include astationary or static pipeline support device (not visible), arranged inthe lower portion of the firing line below the workstation 60 andadapted to support—on its own—the entire weight of the launched pipelinesuspending towards the seabed.

Said pipeline support device (not shown) can be a stationary frictionalclamp, having one or more clamping elements engaging on the pipeline,said clamping elements being stationary while supporting the pipelineand not being part of a track (as in a tensioner) so that the pipelinecan not be moved using said stationary frictional clamp in the directionof the pipeline axis.

It could be that the stationary pipeline support device does allow fordisplacement essentially in a plane at right angles to the supportedpipeline, possibly while supporting the load of the pipeline. In thisrespect “stationary” essentially means “stationary in the direction ofthe pipeline”.

The pipeline support device is preferably embodied as a stationaryhang-off clamp which can engage on the pipeline, e.g. having one or moresupport element engaging below a collar on the pipeline, and support thepipeline in a stationary manner. These hang-off clamps commonly includemultiple mobile clamp parts allowing the clamp to be opened for releaseand passage of the pipeline and closed for support of the pipeline.

Preferably said a stationary or static pipeline support device is notsupported by the tower, but on the hull of the vessel, e.g. via a hatchover the moonpool or otherwise, e.g. a sliding static pipeline supportdevice mounted on the hull of the vessel. It is noted that the supportdevice could be supported by the tower if desired.

Possibly, the pipeline support device is integrated in a hatch assemblyor supported thereby, and the one or more hatch panels are adapted tosupport the weight of the launched pipeline when held by the device. Thehang-off clamp may be composed of two mating clamp parts, eachintegrated in a hatch panel so that the pipeline can be held between inthe clamp (e.g. a pipeline collar resting on said clamp parts) when thepanels are in their closed position. The hatch may also include apipeline funnel through which a pipeline may pass when laying pipelinewith the hatch panels in closed position.

Tubular installation system 10 further comprises a tubulars supplysystem (not shown), preferably provided on the support, for supplyingtubulars to an essentially horizontal tubular supply position in thevicinity of the tower.

A loader device 20 according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 a, 1 band 2, comprising three tubular grippers 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, andcomprising a tubular stopper 11, which is provided in line with the oneor more tubular grippers, in particular suitable for handlingpipe-in-pipes.

The loader device 20 further comprises a base 23, mounted to the support105, and a boom 24 to which the one or more tubular grippers areattached. In the shown embodiment, the grippers 21 a-21 c are pivotablyattached to the boom 24 about a gripper rotation axis 25, essentiallyparallel to the boom 24, which grippers are pivotable by hydraulicallyactuated cylinders 26.

The boom 24 is pivotable with respect to the base 23 in a boom pivotdirection R about a horizontal boom pivot axis 27, by means of hydraulicactuators 28. In FIG. 1 a and 2 the boom is in a lowered position forreceiving and gripping a tubular in the essentially horizontal tubularsupply position. If pivoted in direction R, the boom is pivoted to araised position for delivering the tubular 11 to the firing line (FIG. 1b).

The tubular installation system comprises an accessory supply system200, provided on the support 105, for supplying an accessory to anessentially horizontal accessory supply position in the vicinity of thetower. The accessory supply system here comprises two sets of rails 201,202, each extending in line with the loader device 20. On rails 202 aPLET 203 is provided. Advantageously, other accessories are supplied tothe other rails 201.

The loader device 20 further comprises accessory handling means 29 fortransporting an accessory (not shown) between the essentially horizontalaccessory supply position and the firing line. As can be seen, theaccessory handling means 29 are distinct from the tubular grippers 21,22, and are also attached to the boom 24 of the loader device 20, at adifferent position than the tubular grippers 21, 22. In the shownembodiment, the accessory handling means are provided at an oppositeside of the boom 24. The accessory supply rails 201, 202 extend in linewith the accessory handling means 29 on the loader device 20.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the accessory supplyrails 202 are provided adjacent the horizontal boom pivot axis 27, and aremovable bridging rail portion (not shown) may be provided essentiallyabove the horizontal boom pivot axis 27 between the accessory supplyrails 202 and the accessory supply position.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the loaderdevice 20 can thus be used as desired for transporting a tubular or anaccessory between the respective supply position and the firing line.

In the shown embodiment, the accessory handling means 29 compriseaccessory rails 30, 31, which are attached to the boom 24 of the loaderdevice 20. An accessory handling frame 32 is here provided, to which theaccessory is attachable, which accessory handling frame 32 is allowed tomove over the accessory rails 30, 31. Possibly, but not necessarily, theaccessory handling frame 32 also functions as a line-up tool, to line upthe accessory in the firing line.

In the shown embodiment, the tower is provided with tower rails 119 a,119 b, 119 c and 119 d, provided on horizontal crossbeams 109 a, 109 b,109 c, 109 d.

It is visible in FIG. 1 b that the accessory rails 30, 31 adjoin thetower rails 119 c, 119 b respectively in the raised position of theloader device, such that the accessory, on the accessory handling frame32, can be transferred via the accessory rails 31, 32 and the towerrails 119 c, 119 b into the firing line.

In FIGS. 1 a and 1 b a tubular line-up tool 150 is provided on towerrails 119 a, 119 b, and pipe gripping clamps 161, 162 on rails 119 c,119 d respectively. This line-up tool 150 and clamps 161, 162 can takeover a pipe from the tubular grippers 21 a-21 c in the raised position,and translate the tubulars from the side of the tower 100 into thefiring line 101. Line-up tool 150 is capable of lining up the tubularwith the launched tubulars, e.g. a pipeline, with the clamps 151 a, 151b, 151 c. In this embodiment, three clamps 151 a-15 c are provided to beable to handle pipe-in-pipes.

In FIGS. 3 a-3 c alternative embodiments of the second aspect of theinvention are shown very schematically, in a view from above.

A tower 50 is shown with a firing line 51 extending along the tower. Thetower is supported by a support (not shown), which is preferably avessel, e.g. a pipelaying vessel. In the tower a lift device (not shown)is provided, for lowering and/or raising a tubular or a tubular providedwith an accessory along the firing line.

A tubular and accessory handling system 60 is provided, for transportinga tubular between an essentially horizontal tubular supply position andthe firing line 51, and for transporting an accessory between anessentially horizontal accessory supply position and the firing line.

Tubular and accessory handling system 60 comprises a tubulars supplysystem (not shown), preferably provided on the support, for supplyingtubulars to an essentially horizontal tubular supply position in thevicinity of the tower, and a loader device (not shown) for transportinga tubular between the essentially horizontal supply position and thefiring line.

The loader device (not shown), as a common tubular loader devicecomprises:

-   -   a tubular gripper adapted for gripping the tubular,    -   a base, preferably provided on the support,    -   a boom to which the one or more tubular grippers are attached,        which boom is pivotable with respect to the base in a boom pivot        direction about a horizontal boom pivot axis, between a lowered        position for gripping a tubular in the essentially horizontal        tubular supply position, and a raised position for delivering a        tubular to the firing line and vice versa.

Tubular and accessory handling system 60 further comprises an accessorysupply system 58, preferably also provided on the support, for supplyingan accessory 56 to an essentially horizontal accessory supply positionin the vicinity of the tower 50.

Accessory handling means 55 are provided for handling the accessory 56.The accessory handling means 55 are pivotable about a horizontalaccessory pivot axis 61 between a lowered position (as shown in FIGS. 2a-2 c) for receiving the accessory in the essentially horizontalaccessory supply position, and a raised position (not shown) fordelivering the accessory 56 to the firing line 51 and vice versa.Preferably, the accessory handling means 55 comprise a base (not shown),preferably provided on the support, and a pivotable accessory handlingarm to which the accessory is attached, which accessory handling arm ispivotable with respect to the base in an accessory arm pivot directionabout the horizontal accessory pivot axis 61.

The shown accessory handling means 55 comprise accessory rails 59 a, 59b, 59 c, 59 d. Possibly, but not shown, an accessory handling frame isprovided, to which the accessory 56 is attachable, which accessoryhandling frame can be transferred across the accessory rails.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the accessory supplysystem 58 comprises accessory supply rails 58 a, 58 b, which are in linewith the accessory handling means 55. The supply rails 58 a, 58 b areprovided on the support. Because the accessory supply rails 58 a, 58 bare in line with the accessory handling means 55, transfer of theaccessory from the accessory supply system to the accessory handlingmeans is made easier. The accessory handling means should be able toreceive an accessory from the supply rails. In the shown embodiment,this is accomplished by providing the accessory handling means withaccessory rails, which are in line with the accessory supply rails.

In the embodiment in FIG. 2 a, the accessory supply rails 58 a, 58 b areprovided parallel to the horizontal accessory pivot axis 61.Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 2 b and 2 c, the accessory supply rails58 a, 58 b are provided perpendicular to the horizontal accessory pivotaxis 61.

In the embodiment in FIG. 2 c, the accessory supply rails 58 a, 58 b arealso provided adjacent the horizontal accessory pivot axis 61, and aremovable bridging rail portion 65 is provided essentially above thehorizontal accessory pivot axis 61 between the accessory supply rails 58a, 58 b and the accessory supply position. In the shown embodiment, thebridging rail portion 65 with rail portions 65 a, 65 b connects theaccessory supply rails 58 a, 58 b with the accessory rails 59 a, 59 b,respectively. Once the accessory 56 is positioned on the accessoryhandling means 55, the bridging rail portion 55 is removed in order toallow raising of the accessory handling means 55.

In FIGS. 4 a-4 c three alternative embodiments of the third aspect ofthe invention are shown very schematically.

A tower 80 is shown with a firing line 81 extending along the tower. Thetower is supported by a support (not shown), which is preferably avessel, e.g. a pipelaying vessel. J-lay tower structure bearing means(not shown) are provided which allow for the pivoting of the J-lay towerstructure with respect to the support about at least one J-lay towerpivot axis 82; the J-lay tower pivot axis defining a first and secondside 83, 84 of the J-lay tower structure, each side extendingessentially perpendicular to the J-lay tower pivot axis 82.

According to the invention, a tubular and accessory handling system isprovided, for transporting a tubular (not shown) between an essentiallyhorizontal tubular supply position and the firing line 51, and fortransporting an accessory (not shown) between an essentially horizontalaccessory supply position and the firing line.

The tubular and accessory handling system comprises a tubulars supplysystem (not shown), preferably provided on the support, for supplyingtubulars to an essentially horizontal tubular supply position in thevicinity of the tower, and a loader device 70 for transporting a tubularbetween the essentially horizontal supply position and the firing line.

The loader device 70 comprises:

-   -   a tubular gripper (not shown) adapted for gripping the tubular,    -   a base (not shown), preferably provided on the support,    -   a boom 71 to which the one or more tubular grippers are        attached, which boom is pivotable with respect to the base in a        boom pivot direction about a horizontal boom pivot axis 72,        between a lowered position for gripping a tubular in the        essentially horizontal tubular supply position (the position        shown in FIGS. 3 a-3 c), and a raised position for delivering a        tubular to the firing line 81 and vice versa.

The tubular and accessory handling system further comprises an accessorysupply system (not shown), preferably also provided on the support, forsupplying an accessory (not shown) to an essentially horizontalaccessory supply position in the vicinity of the tower 80.

Accessory handling means 90 are provided for handling the accessory (notshown). The accessory handling means 90 comprise a base (not shown),preferably provided on the support, and a pivotable accessory handlingarm 92 to which the accessory is attachable, which accessory handlingarm is pivotable with respect to the base in an accessory arm pivotdirection about a horizontal accessory handling arm pivot axis 91,between a lowered position (as shown in FIGS. 3 a-3 c) for receiving theaccessory in the essentially horizontal accessory supply position, and araised position (not shown) for delivering the accessory to the firingline 81 and vice versa.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the boom pivot axis 72is essentially parallel to the accessory handling arm pivot axis 91 andthe J-lay tower pivot axis 82, and the boom pivot axis 72 and theaccessory handling arm pivot axis 91 are provided adjacent the firstand/or second side of the J-lay tower structure.

In all shown embodiments, the accessory handing arm 92 and the boom 71in their lowered positions point in the same direction. Alternatively,they point in opposite directions.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 a-3 c differ in that in FIG. 3 a theaccessory handling means 90 and the pipe loader device 70 are providedat opposite sides 83, 84 of the tower 80, and in FIGS. 3 b and 3 c theaccessory handling means 90 and the pipe loader device 70 are providedat the same side 84 of the tower 80. In FIG. 3 b the pipe loader device70 is provided most remote from the tower 80, while in FIG. 3 c theaccessory handling means 90 are provided most remote from the tower 80.

In the shown embodiment, the accessory handling means 90 compriseaccessory rails 93 a, 93 b attached to the accessory handling arm 92.According to a preferred embodiment, the tower is provided with towerrails (not shown), and the accessory rails 93 a, 93 b adjoin the towerrails in the raised position of the loader device, such that theaccessory can be transferred from the accessory handling means via theaccessory rails and the tower rails to the firing line 81.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A tubular installation system for J-layingtubulars said system comprising: a J-lay tower structure for loweringand/or raising a tubular or an accessory along a firing line extendingalong the J-lay tower structure; a support for supporting the J-laytower structure; a tubulars supply system for supplying tubulars to anessentially horizontal tubular supply position in the vicinity of thetower, J-lay tower structure; a loader device for transporting a tubularbetween the essentially horizontal supply position and the firing line,wherein the loader device comprises: one or more tubular grippersadapted for gripping the tubular; a base; and a boom to which the one ormore tubular grippers are attached, said boom being pivotable withrespect to the base in a boom pivot direction about a horizontal boompivot axis, between a lowered position for gripping a tubular in anessentially horizontal tubular supply position, and a raised positionfor delivering a tubular to the firing line and vice versa; an accessorysupply system for supplying an accessory to an essentially horizontalaccessory supply position in the vicinity of the J-lay tower structure;and an accessory handling mechanism configured to transport theaccessory between the essentially horizontal accessory supply positionand the firing line, wherein the accessory handling mechanism isdistinct from the one or more tubular grippers and is attached to theboom of the loader device, at a different position than the one or moretubular grippers, such that the loader device can be used as desired fortransporting a tubular or an accessory between the respective supplyposition and the firing line.
 2. The tubular installation systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the accessory handling mechanism comprisesaccessory rails attached to the boom of the loader device, and whereinthe J-lay tower structure is provided with tower rails, wherein theaccessory rails adjoin the tower rails in the raised position of theloader device, such that the accessory can be transferred between theaccessory handling mechanism and the firing line via the accessory railsand the tower rails.
 3. The tubular installation system according toclaim 2, wherein an accessory line-up tool is provided to which theaccessory is attached, the accessory line-up tool being allowed to moveover the accessory rails and the tower rails.
 4. The tubularinstallation system according to claim 2, wherein an accessory handlingframe is provided to which the accessory is attached, the accessoryhandling frame being allowed to move over the accessory rails and thetower rails.
 5. The tubular installation system according to claim 1,wherein the one or more grippers are pivotably attached to the boomabout a gripper rotation axis essentially parallel to the boom.
 6. Adrilling rig comprising the tubular installation system according toclaim 1, wherein the J-lay tower structure comprises a drilling rigstructure, and wherein the lifting device comprises a hoisting devicefor raising and lowering a string of interconnected tubulars.
 7. Amarine pipelay system comprising the tubular installation systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the J-lay tower structure is a pipelaytower.
 8. A tubular installation system for J-laying tubulars saidsystem comprising: a J-lay tower structure for lowering and/or raising atubular or an accessory along a firing line extending along the J-laytower structure; a support for supporting the J-lay tower structure; atubulars supply system for supplying tubulars to an essentiallyhorizontal tubular supply position in the vicinity of the J-lay towerstructure; a loader device for transporting a tubular between anessentially horizontal supply position and the firing line, wherein theloader device comprises: one or more tubular grippers adapted forgripping the tubular; a base; and a boom to which the one or moretubular grippers are attached, said boom being pivotable with respect tothe base in a boom pivot direction about a horizontal boom pivot axis,between a lowered position for gripping a tubular in the essentiallyhorizontal tubular supply position, and a raised position for deliveringa tubular to the firing line and vice versa; an accessory supply systemfor supplying an accessory to an essentially horizontal accessory supplyposition in the vicinity of the J-lay tower structure; and an accessoryhandling mechanism configured to transport the accessory between theessentially horizontal accessory supply position and the firing line,wherein the accessory supply system comprises accessory supply rails,provided on the support, and the accessory supply rails are in line withthe accessory handling mechanism.
 9. The tubular installation systemaccording to claim 8, wherein the accessory handling mechanism ispivotable about a horizontal accessory pivot axis between a loweredposition for receiving the accessory in the essentially horizontalsupply position and a raised position for delivering the accessory tothe firing line and vice versa, wherein the accessory supply rails areprovided perpendicular to and adjacent to the horizontal accessory pivotaxis, and a removable bridging rail portion is provided essentiallyabove the horizontal accessory pivot axis between the accessory supplyrails and the accessory supply position, the bridging rail portion beingremovable in order to allow raising of the accessory handling mechanism.10. The tubular installation system according to claim 8, wherein theaccessory handling mechanism is pivotable about a horizontal accessorypivot axis between a lowered position for receiving the accessory in theessentially horizontal supply position and a raised position fordelivering the accessory to the firing line and vice versa, and whereinthe accessory handling mechanism comprises a base and a pivotableaccessory handling arm to which the accessory is attached, the accessoryhandling arm being pivotable with respect to the base in an accessoryarm pivot direction about the horizontal accessory pivot axis.
 11. Thetubular installation system according to claim 8, wherein the accessoryhandling mechanism is distinct from the one or more tubular grippers andis attached to the boom of the loader device, at a different positionthan the one or more tubular grippers, such that the loader device canbe used as desired for transporting a tubular or an accessory betweenthe respective supply position and the firing line.
 12. A drilling rigcomprising the tubular installation system according to claim 8, whereinthe J-lay tower structure comprises a drilling rig structure, andwherein the lifting device comprises a hoisting device for raising andlowering a string of interconnected tubulars.
 13. A marine pipelaysystem comprising the tubular installation system according to claim 8,wherein the J-lay tower structure is a pipelay tower.
 14. A tubularinstallation system for J-laying tubulars wherein the system comprises:a support; a J-lay tower structure for lowering and/or raising a tubularor an accessory along a firing line extending along the J-lay towerstructure; a J-lay tower structure bearing mechanism configured to allowfor the pivoting of the J-lay tower structure with respect to thesupport about at least one J-lay tower pivot axis; the J-lay tower pivotaxis defining a first and second side of the J-lay tower structure,extending perpendicular to the J-lay tower pivot axis; a tubulars supplysystem for supplying tubulars to an essentially horizontal tubularsupply position in the vicinity of the J-lay tower structure; a loaderdevice for transporting a tubular between an essentially horizontalsupply position and the firing line, wherein the loader devicecomprises: one or more tubular grippers adapted for gripping thetubular; a base; and a boom to which the one or more tubular grippersare attached, said boom being pivotable with respect to the base in aboom pivot direction about a horizontal boom pivot axis, between alowered position for gripping a tubular in the essentially horizontaltubular supply position, and a raised position for delivering a tubularto the firing line and vice versa; an accessory supply system forsupplying an accessory to an essentially horizontal accessory supplyposition in the vicinity of the tower; and accessory handling mechanismconfigured to handle the accessory, wherein the accessory handlingmechanism comprises a base and a pivotable accessory handling arm towhich the accessory is attached, the accessory handling arm beingpivotable with respect to the base in an accessory arm pivot directionabout a horizontal accessory handling arm pivot axis, between a loweredposition for receiving the accessory in an essentially horizontalaccessory supply position, and a raised position for delivering theaccessory to the firing line and vice versa, wherein the boom pivot axisis essentially parallel to the accessory handling arm pivot axis and tothe J-lay tower pivot axis, and wherein the boom pivot axis and theaccessory handling arm pivot axis are provided adjacent the first and/orsecond side of the J-lay tower structure.
 15. The tubular installationsystem according to claim 14 wherein the accessory handing arm and theboom, in their lowered positions, point in the same direction.
 16. Thetubular installation system according to claim 14, wherein the accessoryhandling mechanism comprises accessory rails attached to the accessoryhandling arm, and wherein the J-lay tower structure is provided withtower rails, wherein the accessory rails adjoin the tower rails in theraised position of the loader device, such that the accessory can betransferred from the accessory handling mechanism via the accessoryrails and the tower rails to the firing line.
 17. The tubularinstallation system according to claim 16, wherein the accessoryhandling mechanism comprises an accessory handling frame to which theaccessory is attached, the accessory handling frame being allowed tomove over the accessory rails and the tower rails.
 18. The tubularinstallation system according to claim 16, wherein the accessoryhandling mechanism comprises an accessory line-up tool to which theaccessory is attached, the accessory line-up tool being allowed to moveover the accessory rails and the tower rails.
 19. A drilling rigcomprising the tubular installation system according to claim 14,wherein the J-lay tower structure comprises a drilling rig structure,and wherein the lifting device comprises a hoisting device for raisingand lowering a string of interconnected tubulars.
 20. A marine pipelaysystem comprising the tubular installation system according to claim 14,wherein the J-lay tower structure is a pipelay tower.